Epicurus on Happiness 3 of 3

[JayGatsbyOdysseus]

It is strange how epicurean came to mean living a party life full of luxury. I think the first time I read the word was in an F. Scott Fitzgerald book, maybe This Side of Paradise. I looked it up and the dictionary said something like living a lavish lifestyle. Now, how should I use the word? I real meaning or the evolved meaning?

[narutolame]

I like how this thing makes it clear that Epicurus wasn't saying that wealth makes people unhappy or that people can't be happy with wealth, just that wealth alone will not make you happy.

[cheatdath]

Epicurus is epic and curious

[rgaleny]

The Hindus have a formula too. LOVE, DUTY, Wealth, and Liberation from the petty attachment to the material.

[WhereToGoist]

i think epicurus has a philosophy, but its hardly mind-blowing is it? i'm not sure about friends being necessary, but i think companionship is obviously important. self-sufficiency is hardly achievable and i don't think is necessary! perhaps he means independence or freedom. and analyse your life... hmm isn't that just saying sort yourself out and do things that make you happy! i think the last message is a bit of a cop-out.

[greatbroad]

You know what the ending reminds me of? The Monopoly Game.

This game was designed as research to prove how monopolies work and take other's wealth. That they were dangerous. Instead, they promote the idea that it is a game.

[ukidding]

learning can bring happiness



[loveruleshate]

I hate how Western Education makes it sound as if the Greeks and Romans invented Philosophy and self-analysis in 300bc.

Buddha was teaching all of this 2200 years before these mental-midgets were even born!

[anuragchoubey]

@loveruleshate Hindus were teaching dis 7000yrs before all of them were born !

[loveruleshate]

@anuragchoubey Yes, but it took Buddha to get it down to eight simple steps.

Right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration.

Namaste (The light in me; honors the light in you)

[xXHalfAsleepXx]

@loveruleshate mental midgets? your a arsehole

[loveruleshate]

@xXHalfAsleepXx Maybe if you stop dragging you're knuckles you'll be able to come up with a more intelligent response than a single word platitude.

[longfootbuddy]

@loveruleshate there was a caveman, long before buddha, that knew how to be happy..the problem was, his cave buddies wouldnt let him, and they called him "zeke the weak"

[loveruleshate]

@longfootbuddy You do know that in the original Greek and Latin Bibles which were later misstranslated the word meek was actually "and the weak shall inherit the earth" Go Zeke!

[longfootbuddy]

@loveruleshate weak, meak..basically the same

[summergiles]

Loved it!

[DreamsofMajesty]

scribd (dot) com/nb812

[Popsfresh]

Rat race - those were good days, approximately the mid 90s. Everyone was owning stocks, life was good. I'll take that over debt and unemployment, and declining wages, any day.

[conzatorium]

... And maybe a look at the myriad meanings of the word "objectivity," we are all little hunters; what we look for, obviously, gives us our purpose; whether it is goods or truth or something else. Truth is a real/not real quarry to keep the little hunter in purposing.

[conzatorium]

I think much more important is to have a sense of "agency," that you can make a difference if you try, whether it be to get some goods or to persuede, or to make a thing ... yes.

[igorkrupitsky]

I wish Alain de Botton (or someone else) would make a video on what Modern Science (Positive Psychology) has to say about Epicurus. If Epicurus was alive he probably would want to test his ideas empirically using real data.

[cwieand]

@igorkrupitsky

I think happiness research largely backs up Epicurus. Above meeting general needs an increase in wealth does not necessarily increase happiness. Friendship too has been backed up in modern research.

[qaplatlhinganmaH]

These conceptions, in combination with the idea of "philanthropia" (universal loving kindness, of which Crates, the student of Diogenes, was the best proponent), are strikingly reminiscent of Buddhist Prajna (wisdom) and Karuna (compassion)

[qaplatlhinganmaH]

The new syncretic form of Buddhism expanded fully into Eastern Asia soon after these events. The Kushan monk Lokaksema visited the Han Chinese court at Loyang in 178 CE, and worked there for ten years to make the first known translations of Mahayana texts into Chinese. The new faith later spread into Korea and Japan, and was itself at the origin of Zen.

[atfatw]

Epicurus used the greek term awtarakseeaw, for happiness in greek it means essentially peace of mind or calmness

[ikantianthink]

It's 'ataraxia'

[atfatw]

inKANTthink!, ha ha I was using the phonetic pronounciation for the benefit of stupid, drooling unteachable english

[specter290]

rofl owned by the nazis! german volks wagen at the end of the vid ahah!

[SK3Nives]

The wealth required by nature is limited and is easy to procure; but the wealth required by vain ideals extends to infinity.-Epicurus

You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.-Epicurus

It is impossible to live a pleasant life without living wisely and well and justly. And it is impossible to live wisely and well and justly without living a pleasant life.-Epicurus

he had a LOT of good shit ta say

[translationwiz]

I once purchased a Calvin-Klein suit. I wore it out about town. I felt great. Then I saw a guy with an Armani suit on..........I lost that above the clouds feeling. Then I ran into a homeless man. I took off my suit and gave it to him. I felt even better than when I got the suit in the 1st place. True story.

peace.

[gezkah]

Loved that man thats an awesome story.

[Maxdwolf]

@translationwiz So you were walking around in your underwear? :)

[translationwiz]

@Maxdwolf LOL..........good one. Actually, I went home, took it off. and went to where I see the guy regularly. . Wow, I forgot I posted this. But the lesson is still w/me. Everytime I get that urge to go and get the latest, newest, fastest. I'm really -a selfish fool. I had hit bottom then.......all that spending&debt and just never satisfied. I'm poor today. But its the best time in my life since childhood. Its the quality that really matters Wolf. Thanks for the reminder though.

peace.

[kirkindysolospock]

All that effort to put up the ad, and the 'Happiness Not Included' text was too small. It doesn't look like people could read the message from far away, which is the whole point of an ad. Great idea, though.

[TenderTrap86]

Excellent. Thanks for posting.

[Jester2415]

happy is an emotion. One would never expect to Angry or sad or afraid all the time, day in and day out. If you were you would seek professional help and be put on medication. So why do people think it's the human default to be happy all the time?

[NASIMNASIM]

If one can be generally sad or angry..they can be generally happy.

[heart4moocows]

"Happiness" is a poor translation of the Greek eudaimonia. It might better be translated "well-being," "the good life," or perhaps even "joy." Happiness in the ancient philosophical sense isn't an emotion (a passion) but rather a state-of-being.

[Jester2415]

Are we talking philosophy or reality? Because in reality "pleasure" or "happiness" is an emotion that our brain uses to manipulate us into doing certain things and acting a certain way. Ask your self: Why am I happy doing this? Most likely there's a survival benefit for doing it.

[heart4moocows]

I'm talking about what the ancient Greek schools were aiming at. The passions weren't held in very high regard; they weren't talking about a state of emotional happiness but rather overall well-being.

[tristramshandy3]

I'm happiest when I'm hiking in the desert. How is that related to survival?

Have a nice day.

Viva Montaigne!

[Jester2415]

Fresh air, exercise, vitamin D and melatonin from the sun light ... the sunlight makes people happy... proven in studies.... cuz our skin needs exposure to maintain serotonin levels in our brain... There's always an evolutionary reason why we like things...

[tristramshandy3]

Fresh air, exercise, and vitamin D are not necessary to survival- as evidenced by the large percentage of people who "survive" (if you can call it that) without those things.

I think the happiness I find in the desert is a result of sociological effects- mainly, the soul crushing despair brought on by mass urbanization- a result of the dreadful industrial revolution.

Who knows.

I'm just having fun thinking.

Viva Shakespeare!

[Jester2415]

A lake of vitamin D has been linked heavily to heart disease and cancer... some of the leading causes of death in America... so those who have and get sufficient amounts do live longer and subsequently have more offspring... also people with depression tend not to become involved in relationships as much... so yes a little thing like taking walks outside increases your chances at passing on more of your genes...

[tristramshandy3]

But I can get sun in the city. The point of the happiness is being away from the city, not away from the sun.

I get plenty of sun in the city- so walking in nature does not replenish a needed deficiency and serves no nutritional or survival necessity.

Some things are just fun- and have no attachment to survival. Consider it!

[Jester2415]

Being myself a Nihilist who doesn't believe in things like free will... I find it hard to swallow things "just are" without evolutionary roots... there's always a reason behind the things we do, say, think, feel, believe... whether we are conscious of it or not...

[tristramshandy3]

I disagree.

Have a great determined, boring life.

[Jester2415]

That's why it's the truth... cuz people don't want to believe it... Lies come candy coated because they were meant to be swallowed... the truth is harsh and sobering... most people can't except it so they make up things like religion and free will...

Have a great and meaningless life... before you die and fade into the abyss of nothingness.

[tristramshandy3]

I love life and I bring a lot of joy into other people's lives.

I am not afraid of death or meaninglessness.

Viva Montaigne!

[Jester2415]

People who say they are not afraid of death usually: 1. Don't believe in it becuz they think there's an afterlife 2. rarely ever think about it cuz it's unsettling and they're still young

You should be afraid of death, terrified even, the thought of eternal nothingness should give you an anxiety attack... Fear of death is the most rational emotion you can experience in this life... It should scare the crap out of you, if not then you really don't understand death

[tristramshandy3]

Talk about being young- LOL. I think it's cute that you are so sure of everything.

You'll outgrow it if you're lucky.

Goodnight.

I'm done having a metaphorical peeing contest with you young man.

[Jester2415]

ageism... cute... grasp for whatever makes you feel superior... though i don't blame you... dominance is one of the reasons why the brain evolved after all... so you really have no choice in the matter... and I don't buy that living in constant state of denial and self delusion makes you more "mature and/or wise"... just easier to manipulate and control... ignorance is bliss at any age i guess...

[tristramshandy3]

Your posts betray a young, defensive, angry mind. Good luck!

[Jester2415]

Your post betray a clueless simpleton who clings to his own self delusion and then calls himself an intellectual... enjoy your limited reality!

[tristramshandy3]

takes one to know one

[Jester2415]

I know you are but what am I... and here I thought you were the "older/mature" one... hahahaha

[tristramshandy3]

Obviously, I am rubber and you are glue.

[Jester2415]

no my friend... you are stale old moldy Limburger cheese... and I am deliciously fresh Swiss chocolate dipped in golden caramel... Checkmate!

[tristramshandy3]

me being rubber, and you being glue: everything you just said bounced off me and stuck to you.

the fat lady has sung :)

have a good evening

viva Montaigne (again)

[Jester2415]

I didn't know your wife took singing lessons... viva myself because I'm just that good ;)

[Maxdwolf]

@Jester2415 "There's always an evolutionary reason why we like things"

Well yes, but there's no guarantee that we can suss it out. Nor is it entirely relevant. Vitamin D and exercise are two good reasons for going for a walk in the sun. But they don't entirely explain why we enjoy it, nor are they necessary. It is enough that we do.

[Jester2415]

@Maxdwolf already explained why they are necessary in a previous post here... people get sick and died without vita D and exercise... mental and physical health is important for survival and reproduction...the brain manipulates you in order to get what it wants... that is the purpose of a brain after all... it tells u when to eat, be afraid, have sex, get pissed off, and be happy... we do not make choices only reactions to outside and internal stimulus

[Maxdwolf]

@Jester2415 You are making two fatal errors. The first is that the brain is aware of the needs being filled, even unconsciously. You oversimplify the effect of evolution on behaviour. The second is believing that determinism means there is no such thing as choice. It only revises the definition of what a choice is.

[Jester2415]

@Maxdwolf the brain is aware in a way though, the nervous system connects the whole body to the brain, via chemicals and bio electricity the brain responds to outside stimulus, most we are neither aware of or can control, I never said any about determinism, I state that the brain is in control not us thus our notion of free will is an illusion we apes have imposed on ourselves and the world because we seek dominance and control, no one likes the idea they are not in control

[Jester2415]

@Maxdwolf do you not feel better when you eat something after a day of not eating anything? Or taking a piss when you got to go really bad? The brain fulfills it's needs through pain and pleasure... a reward system... evolution is simple at its core... the survival of the fittest passes on the genes...

[loveruleshate]

@Jester2415 "survival of the fittest" is a myth otherwise Neanderthals would be ruling the world instead of Homosapiens.

[Jester2415]

@loveruleshate Your logic makes me speechless... There is so much wrong with this statement it's hard to know where to begin... So how about this: No. You are wrong. Read an actual book on the subjects you are speaking on. Have a nice day. Bye.

[loveruleshate]

@Jester2415 Of course your speechless! Every time you look in the mirror, you know I'm right.

[Jester2415]

@loveruleshate I am very handsome I know...you're right, it is hard to form words sometimes when i stare into my sheer manly sexiness... thanks for the compliment!

[loveruleshate]

@Jester2415 Of course, all Neanderthals think Apes are good looking. ROFL

[rgaleny]

@Jester2415 But does it make you happy. Nietzsche said Happiness is the which increases your sense of power.

[Jester2415]

@rgaleny Does what make me happy? which comment of mine are you replying too?

[rgaleny]

@Jester2415 HI, i WAS JUST JESTING CAUSE YOU SAID YOU WERE GOOD LOOKING. i SAID TO THAT DOES IT MAKE YOU HAPPY? AND THE QUOTED NIETZSCHE, THINKING THAT LOOKS WERE A FORM OF POWER. EVEN IF YOU WERE BEING FUNNY ABOUT IT. BY THE WAY. AS REGARDS NIHILISM, I FEEL THAT MAN IS BORN FREE (CONDEMNED TO FREEDOM SAYS SARTRE) BUT, IN A DETERMINISTIC SETTING. WE ARE TEMPORAL AND MORTAL AND HAVE SOME LIMITATIONS BUT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE CHOICES TOO. LIKE ANNA NICHOLE SMITH, WHO CHOSE TO BE DUMB.

[onetocome]

Consumerism is a double edge sword, and communist love this word, but for the wrong reason. It comes from envy. Epic. underlying reasons are scary, what I see is that he subsconsciously wants everyone to be the same, at the same standard of living, and that's why he was attracted to the idea of comunual living. He was anti-spending, in other words anti-giving.

[tristramshandy3]

Consumerism is an empty, meaningless, self-defeating lifestyle that has made millions of people miserable.

Have a nice day.

Fuck the mall! Go for a walk in the woods!

[alchemistra]

Nice series of videos. A critical distinction should always be made between happiness (enduring) and pleasure (temporary) the two are in no way equitable. Epicurus' philosophy is the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain in order to achieve a state of mental balance, a characteristic of happiness. All in all the philosophy is hopelessly reductionist, to my way of thinking.

[writetothepoint1960]

Happiness not included? What kind of Diogenes statement is this? Clearly I need more than money and consumerism. Yes, I need a constant reminder, 'a little help from my friends', and some philosophical self analysis.

[shinewearsoff]

i want that poster.

[Tiwaking]

@shinewearsoff I was so saddened when they covered up that poster! Stupid Volkswagon!

[Bureyeanne]

earthquake prehaps, more likely the merchants tore the wall down.

[bijouchatte]

I'm not aware how Epicurus talked about shopping. Rather he advocated living a moderate life. The reason is because living moderately taught you the limits of things, and that lean times are not feared, and times of plenty enjoyed more acutely. This tied into the freedom from anxiety philosophy that Epicurus always preached, and freedom from anxiety lead to the enjoyment of a pleasant life. That is what true happiness was to Epicurus.

[sydgrrl44]

Jesus, (his Greek name) was a big follower of Epicurus. Buy Local.

[mungcray]

everyone in america ought to be made to watch this.

[NGS712]

mung: I think it's a 'little' too late. ;)

[Energyium]

nutrition to the body is also important for happiness

chemical ballance is important

[asderso]

TRUE, good food=good mood=).

[robbflynncs]

C'mon guys, Allain is the man

[luxOculta]

great philosopher...

dull host.

[grepal12]

completely. I can't stand his rather banal preachiness - no wonder it didn't work with the shoppers.